New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge

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New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge

• Science

NJ ASK Coordinator Orlando Vadel
Science Coordinator Stephen Goldman
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NJ ASK Science
The NJ ASK Science assesses 10 core curriculum
content standards with a focus on the Life,
Physical and Earth clusters.

• Chemistry
• Physics
• Earth Science
• Astronomy and Space Science
• Environmental Studies

• Scientific Processes
• Science and Society
• Mathematical Applications
• Nature and Process of Technology
• Characteristics of Life

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NJ ASK Science

• Standard 1 Scientific Processes
• Strand
• Habits of Mind
• Inquiry and Problem Solving
• Safety

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NJ ASK Science

• Standard 2 Science and Society
• Strand
• Cultural Contributions
• Historical Perspectives

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NJ ASK Science

• Standard 3 Mathematical Applications
• Strand
• Numerical Operations
• Geometry and Measurement
• Patterns and Algebra
• Data Analysis and Probability

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NJ ASK Science

• Standard 4 Nature and Process of Technology
• Strand
• Science and Technology
• Nature of Technology
• Technological Design

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NJ ASK Science

• Standard 5 Characteristics of Life
• Strand
• Matter, Energy and Organization in Living Systems
• Diversity and Biological Evolution
• Reproduction and Heredity

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NJ ASK Science

• Standard 6 Chemistry
• Strand
• Structure and Properties of Matter
• Chemical Reactions

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NJ ASK Science

• Standard 7 Physics
• Strand
• Motion of Forces
• Energy Transformations

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NJ ASK Science

• Standard 8 Earth Science
• Strand
• Earths Properties and Materials
• Atmosphere and Water
• Processes that Shape the Earth
• How We Study the Earth

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NJ ASK Science

• Standard 9 Astronomy and Space Science
• Strand
• Earth, Moon, Sun System
• Solar System
• Stars
• Galaxies and Universe

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NJ ASK Science

• Standard 10 Environmental Studies
• Strand
• Natural Systems and Interactions
• Human Interactions and Impact

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NJ ASK Science

• Concentration by Percentage
• 40 Life Science Life / Environmental
• 30 Physical Chemistry / Physics
• 30 Earth Geographical systems / Astronomy

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NJ ASK Science

• Operational in 2005
• 4 sections M/C OE
• Each section consists of 10 M/C items and 1 OE
  item
• Total number of items 40 M/C and 4 OE
• Time - 1 hour

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NJ ASK Science

• Content Coordinator for New Jerseys five science
  assessments NJ ASK, GEPA, HSPA, SRA, and APA
• Coordinate meetings with teacher groups
• Collaborate with test contractors ETS and
  Riverside (NJ ASK4), NCS Pearson (GEPA),
  Measurement Incorporated (HSPA)

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NJ ASK Science
Teacher Committees

• Made up of NJ certified science teachers,
  curriculum supervisors, and college professor

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NJ ASK Science

• Item Development
• Review of items (M/C OE) that have been
  supplied by the test contractor
• Questions are reviewed for age and grade
  appropriateness, science content errors, and
  grammar and punctuation correctness

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NJ ASK Science
Item Development Three testing clusters

• Standard 5.5 and 5.10
• Standard 5.6 and 5.7
• Standard 5.8 and 5.9

• Life
• Physical
• Earth

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NJ ASK Science

• Preparing for the NJ ASK
• Knowledge of the CCCS
• Test Specifications (on NJDOE web site)
• Curriculum Mapping
• Utilize sample science items for each cluster
  (i.e. M/C OE)

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NJ ASK Science

• Standards/Test Specifications/Matrix
• Standards reflect fundamental basis for
  learning science
• Test Specifications an outline of specific
  content knowledge and application
• Matrix a flow chart for designing assessment
  items

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NJ ASK Science

• Standards Strands/Test Specifications
• Standard 5.5 pg. 181, B1
• B. Diversity and Biological Evolution
• 1. Develop a simple classification scheme
  for grouping animals

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NJ ASK Science

• Standards Strands/Test Specifications
• Test Specifications 5.5, pg. 7, B1, 2, 3
• Explains how organism can be classified
  observable characteristics (i.e. size, color,
  shape)

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NJ ASK Science

• Classification Activities
• Grouping Things
• stamps
• coins
• nails
• buttons

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NJ ASK Science

• Standards Strands/Test Specifications
• Standard 5.6 pg. 184, B1
• Chemical reactions
• Combine one or more materials and show that the
  new material may have properties different from
  the original material.

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NJ ASK Science

• Standards Strands/Test Specifications
• Test Specifications
• Give specific examples of different chemical
  reactions (Standard 5.6, p9, B1, 2, 3)

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NJ ASK Science

• Chemical Reaction Activities
• Cooking an egg
• Making a cake
• Bubble/Bubble (baking soda) CO2
• Vinegar
• Lemon juice
• Buttermilk
• Orange Juice

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NJ ASK Science

• Item Development
• Matrix
• Non-content (knowledge application) areas of
  the matrix
• Content (life, physical, earth) areas of the
  matrix
• Arranged into cells

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NJ ASK Science

• Item Development
• Matrix
• Factual Knowledge contain only knowledge (based
  on 5.2 5.4) embedded in content Standards 5.5
  5.10
• Application contain skills (based on 5.1 5.3)
  embedded in content Standards 5.5 5.10

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NJ ASK Science
Sun grass rabbit fox The direction
of arrows in the food chain above illustrates the
A. age of the animals B. flow of energy C.
requirements for life D. diversity between
organisms NJ ASK test matrix cell A1 test
specification A5 standards - knowledge statement
based on 5.5.4.A.5
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NJ ASK Science
Celestial objects like stars can be seen on a
clear night using A. a microscope B.
binoculars C. a graduated cylinder D. a
thermometer NJ ASK test matrix cell B10 test
specification D1 standards - skills statement
5.2.4.D.1 and knowledge statement in content area
5.9.4.D.1
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NJ ASK Science
Inquiry Problem-Solving Cell
You do experiments to decide whether you have a
toy duck or a real duck. Which of the following
did the living duck do, that the toy duck did not
do? It A. floated in water B. breathed air C.
made a sound D. remained still NJ ASK test
matrix cell C1 test specification A.1 A.6
standards - skill statement from 5.1.4.A.1 and
knowledge statement from 5.5.4.A.1
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NJ ASK Science
Item Specific Rubric Victor has two glasses. One
glass has ice cubes and the other is filled with
water. Give three ways the ice and water are
different.
Differences
Ice cubes
Water
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NJ ASK Science

• Mathematics Cells
• Data table
• Graphs
• Simple computation
• Drawings

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NJ ASK Science

• Open-Ended Questions
• Five minutes to answer each OE question
• Responses may be written, in tables, or as graphs
  or drawings
• Responses must be in English

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NJ ASK Science

• General Scoring Guide
• Hand scored on a scale of 0 3
• 3-points Student response is reasonably
  complete, clear and satisfactory
• 2-points Student response has minor omissions
  and some incorrect information

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NJ ASK Science

• General Scoring Guide contd
• 1-point Student response includes correct
  information, but most is incorrect or not
  relevant
• 0-points Task attempted, but is incorrect

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Designing Tests in Your Classroom

• Step 1 Decide which local and state standards
  your activity encompasses.
• Step 2 Decide which CPI are involved with the
  activity.

• Step 3 Group the CPIs to enable a big picture
  view. Target specific CPIs involved in each
  standard.
• Step 4 Develop questions for each CPI.

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Designing Tests in Your Classroom

• Step 5 Examine the test specifications.
• Step 6 Combine and/or re-word the questions
  developed in Step 4. Decide on the use of
  multiple choice and/or open-ended questions.

• Step 7 Examine the test specifications-especiall
  y knowledge statements related to activity and
  skill statements for the particular grade level.
• Step 8 Combine and/or re-word the questions
  developed in Step 7.

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Instructional Implications

• Review the test results when they arrive
• Analyze for strengths and weaknesses
• Review the state standards and be sure your
  districts curriculum and classroom instruction
  are aligned to it
• Use the Frameworks for developing instructional
  practices
• Familiarize yourself with the scoring rubrics
  and
• Use the scoring rubric for scoring your students
  work.

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Contact Information

• Director of Evaluation and Assessment
• Brian Robinson
• Office 609-984-6311
• E-mail brian.robinson_at_doe.state.nj.us
• NJ ASK Coordinator
• Orlando Vadel
• Office 609-341-3456
• E-mail orlando.vadel_at_doe.state.nj.us
• Science Coordinator
• Stephen Goldman
• Office 609-777-2080
• E-mail stephen.goldman_at_doe.state.nj.us

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Contact Information

• Mathematics Coordinator
• Timothy Giordano
• Office 609-633-8015
• E-mail timothy.giordano_at_doe.state.nj.us
• Language Arts Literacy Coordinator
• Roseanne Harris
• Office 609-292-8779
• E-mail roseanne.harris_at_doe.state.nj.us